[mumbles]

Hello and welcome,
Yeah, googling will only get you so far and unfortunately, UNBROKEN is correct about doing lots of reading here.
If you care to share your location, folks can chime in with the higher-end installers in your area... there are a number of really talented ones on this forum. If you want a head start, go to the Build Logs section of the forum and check out some of the installations, most people list their installers unless they are completely DIY.

Some of the popular higher end brands to consider;
Amps: Mosconi, Brax, Helix, Zapco, Sinfoni, TRU
Speakers: Audiofrog, Brax, Dynaudio, Gladen, Hertz/Audison, Audio Development, Morel, ScanSpeak
Subs: Stereo Integrity, Dynaudio, Acoustic Elegance, Brax
DSP: Helix, miniDSP, Mosconi
These are just off the top of my head, and there are many others...
If you are considering the RSX-GS9, then you are in the right area as they are still very popular.

 

[mumbles]

Thanks! I'm in the Atlanta area. I heard I just missed a great show up north of Atlanta. Oh well.
For speakers, I'm most likely going with Audible Physics. I've got ATI amps, which OEM for many of the high-end audio amps, so I like getting as close to the original manufacturer as I can get. I built my home speakers with 4 Seas L26ROY bass drivers and I think I'm going to use one for a stealth box install in the back.

Nice, I'm in Atlanta as well. If you don't already have a local-ish connection, reach out to Mike Meyers, @audiophile25, in Knoxville... I believe they carry AP.
It looks like you drive a Porsche base on your Avatar. Mark (can't remember his last name) from AP used to drive a Panamera with a very nice system and I think he is in Atlanta too.

 

[mumbles]

2004 Cayenne Turbo. Sold my 996.2 Cab (third 911 over 20 years) because my son's knees were starting to hit the back of the front seats and I needed something bigger. I love this thing! It's amazing what it can do! But almost all of the bose speakers are blown and the head unit works about 70% of the time.

Regarding the earlier meet, there are two upcoming get togethers that are worth considering;
Pulaski VA, Nov. 6th
Warrior AL, Nov. 13th
Both have good groups of people and a decent number of vehicles despite what the sign-up list indicates.